GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Schedule of Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 Tarsus Medical, Inc.	Jan. 24, 2013 Tarsus Medical, Inc.	Sep. 30, 2013 U.S. Neurosurgery	Dec. 31, 2012 U.S. Neurosurgery	Sep. 30, 2013 U.S. Instruments	Dec. 31, 2012 U.S. Instruments	Sep. 30, 2013 U.S. Extremities	Dec. 31, 2012 U.S. Extremities	Sep. 30, 2013 U.S. Extremities Tarsus Medical, Inc.	Sep. 30, 2013 U.S. Spine And Other	Dec. 31, 2012 U.S. Spine And Other	Sep. 30, 2013 International	Dec. 31, 2012 International	Sep. 30, 2013 U.S. Spine And Other	Sep. 30, 2013 U.S. Spine And Other
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, gross				$ 294,067				$ 94,312		$ 57,514		$ 60,353			$ 56,219		$ 25,669
Accumulated impairment losses
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning period, December 31, 2012		294,067				116	94,312		57,514		60,353			56,219		25,669
Goodwill acquired during period					180								180
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	0	(46,738)	0															(46,738)	(46,738)
Foreign currency translation		1,315					494		300		316			70		135
Ending period, September 30, 2013		$ 248,824				$ 116	$ 94,806		$ 57,814		$ 60,849			$ 9,551		$ 25,804